Update: 4/13/2017: This post has been updated with additional online BIM resources that have proved themselves worthy over the past year and a half, and a few outdated resources have been removed. We’ve updated the piece to have 46 options instead of the original 38.
If you’re a Building Information Modeling (BIM) manager or developer, you know it’s not easy to keep up with the quickly changing construction technology landscape.
Source: Flickr
There is an overwhelming amount of information published daily, and it can be difficult to sift through pages of tangentially-related content.
Fear not. I’ve taken the time to search through the best-known BIM blogs, publications, associations, events, and tools, and selected the industry’s premier resources.
Here we go!
Blogs
Laura Handler, a virtual construction expert, aims to showcase innovation within the building industry and offer insights into BIM technology.
Laurie Handler, the Virtual Construction Manager at Tocci Building Corporation, aims to showcase innovation within the building industry and offer insights into BIM technology.
This blog is run by Autodesk’s Developer Technical Services (DevTech) team. This is a good resource for managers and developers using Revit, Navisworks, and other Autodesk AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) and BIM technology.
Beyond Design has been a key asset for BIM managers since 2009. It’s run by Autodesk’s Navisworks team and covers a variety of tips and tricks, best practices, and insider knowledge to make the most out of BIM software and management.
Get the latest news and tips from Australia’s BIM community, all run through one-man show Brian Renehan. The blog may only update once a month, but every article is worth it.
Buildz, which is run by an Autodesk engineer, offers great tutorials, from writing data to text files to how to use the formula node in Dynamo. They also frequently update their readers on the newest developments and releases in the industry. Their last post was in 2015, but you can peruse their extensive archive of information on the industry.
Construction Code is independently run by Stephen Hamil, who started working on NBS products in 1999 and has a PhD “in the digital modeling of building structures.” He offers BIM advice while also cataloging his own professional life.
While this blog isn’t updated as frequently as others, Antony McPhee of Australia makes every post count. With no-nonsense guides and photos to help users out, this blog is a great resource for experts looking to improve their craft.
This blog is exactly what it sounds like. Tim Grimm covers Revit add-ons and plugins, many of which are free.
Jeffrey A. Pinheiro, a.k.a. “The Revit Kid,” offers to-the-point video and written tutorials for Revit developers.
The thinkBIM blog seeks to generate discussions on BIM-enabled construction with pieces from both the thinkBIM team and guest bloggers. It’s part of the Centre for Knowledge Exchange at Leeds Beckett University.
This independent blog is largely an aggregator of the latest news, tips, and tricks coming out of BIM, Revit, Navisworks and IT. Best of all? They keep it brief.
Publications
AECbytes is offering a new quarterly print magazine for $49 a year. They also keep an updated blog.
AECMagazine is a free online UK magazine that publishes bi-monthly. It keeps readers up-to-date on the latest technology solutions in architecture engineering, and construction.
Architect Magazine is not exclusively focused on BIM, but it does publish extensively on the subject. You can view all articles on the subject by selecting the “BIM” tag.
AUGIWorld is Autodesk User Group International’s official magazine which is published once every two months. This in-depth publication provides specialized insight into topics like CAD management, AutoCAD add-ons, and management advice. AUGIWorld is reserved for AUGI subscribers only.
This international, research-oriented journal focuses on information technologies in construction. They particularly focus on computer-aided design. Readers can order a year’s worth of print articles for $99.
Cadalyst’s quarterly print magazine provides software and hardware reviews, illuminates technology trends, and delivers expert advice to help CAD and BIM managers stay up-to-date.
This magazine zeroes in on the intersection of construction and technology (for example, the latest issue features an entire app catalog that’s sorted by how relevant it is to certain professions). It is published quarterly.
Associations
Associated Builders and Contractors
ABC works with all levels of the government to make sure the construction industry’s interests are best represented. This trade organization offers member discounts on products like Revit and AutoCAD licenses. They also champion collaboration within their membership while also supporting open competition and free enterprise.
BIMForum aims to promote and hasten the AEC industry into adopting BIM. They help develop best practices for VDC and host a large and engaged community. A $150 membership provides exclusive access to benefits including videos from BIMForum meetings.
This international organization creates standards and tools and provides training for construction professionals across AEC and facilities management industries.
Fiatech centers on the large commercial assets like hospitals, power plants, and refineries. They cover all points of production, from planning and design to engineering and construction.
Mechanical Contractors Association of America
The MCAA serves the AEC industry as a resource for education, forecasting, and networking association. Many of their educational tools teach advanced BIM techniques. This association is ideal for those in the HVAC community.
National Association of Home Builders
NAHB is a trade association that represents the home-building industry. It provides a network for BIM managers to connect with home builders. Membership comes with joining any home-builders association in your area.
The National BIM Standard is an organization that provides “consensus-based” BIM standards. The organization provides open BIM standards that allow nearly every piece of information an owner needs about a facility to be available electronically. It is an initiative of the National Institute of Building Sciences.
The CAD Society is an authority on all CAD products. They offer mentorship programs, CAD discounts, and provide a point of contact between users and vendors. Membership is $20 for students and $40 for professionals.
Events/Conferences
The AEC Hackathon is an annual event held in London, and has by far the coolest branding of any AEC company I’ve seen to date. The conference is entirely dedicated to sharing ideas and awarding businesses who are shaping the digital construction industry.
Every year, Autodesk University hosts conferences that provide outstanding opportunities for networking, training, and even certification. It features over 650 classes for engineers and designers. Last year, for example, it offered classes called “Influencing Company-Wide BIM Adoption” and “Safety Is No Accident: Actively Evaluating Project Safety with BIM.”
This international convention features a host of education session presentations. It is well-known within the industry. The conference is well-attended by its most prominent members, like BP, GM, and Waste Management.
The national BIM conference is run through AEC Science and Technology, an organization that frequently produces high-quality industry reviews and observations. The conference is dedicated to how to best implement BIM at your company.
North America Revit Technology Conference
Hosted annually, the Revit Technology Conference (RTC) focuses specifically on “all things BIM and the whole ecosystem that supports it.” This conference is independent of any specific organization.
Featuring speakers like Lynn Allen from Cadalyst, Steve Stafford of Revit Op-ed, and Tom Whitehead of DCI Engineers in the past, these regional conferences boast some of the best BIM training for professionals the industry has to offer.
Procore’s Groundbreak Construction Conference
Procore’s Groundbreak Conference, which is held in Austin every spring, showcases the latest and greatest of construction technology, including in the area of BIM.
Free Object Libraries
For CAD and BIM resources, ARCAT is a one-stop-shop. Their free, no registration system has everything from concrete to pollution control system.
Using Revit or AutoCAD? BIMObject seek offers both branded and generic BIM product specifications, drawings, models, and files. Because manufacturers supply their own product information, users can quickly find product specifications for over 66,000 commercial and residential building products.
BIMBox offers an extensive library for designers and manufacturers seeking objects for just about any type of construction project. “We provide native format interior BIM objects created to PAS1192 & COBie standards,” says Tracey Dingwall, an associate at the company. “All designers have to do is register for free and they can begin downloading objects immediately.”
The National Bim Library offers generic and proprietary BIM objects to professionals for free. With its vast library of foundations, doors, windows, walls, and more, it’s often been cited as the “primary source” for free-to-use objects.
Polantis is a free-to-use BIM library that is fantastically organized and simple to use. While its library is a little smaller than others on this list, it’s easy to find exactly what you’re looking for.
SmartBim offers product models from over 40,000 families types in 10,000 Revit objects. Need a sprinkler? It’s an entire category. An ice maker? They got ‘em. A hospital bed? They’ve got four!
Tools
Android and iOS Apps
Tekla BIMsight Note is a great project management app for teams on the go (and aren’t they all?). This program records all project communication and can even read .bcfzip notes.
AutoCAD 360 from Autodesk allows users to work on their projects on and offline, use the phone’s GPS to orient themselves in the drawing, and upload files to email.
Ready to present your hard work? BIMx makes presenting your ArchiCAD project easy—right from iPhone or iPad.
Capterra Architecture Software Directory
If you’re looking for new BIM software, look no further than Capterra’s architecture software directory. It has all the best BIM software that can be further filtered to your company’s needs.
Capterra Construction Management Software Directory
Covering over 100 construction management software products, the Capterra construction management software directory allows you to filter by important features like business process control and forecasting.
More?
This is a long list, but I’m sure that there are more great resources out there. What are some of your favorites that I missed? List them in the comments!
Looking for Construction Management software? Check out Capterra's list of the best Construction Management software solutions.
Comments
Comment by Brent Mauti on
Here are some videos offered by CH2M HILL focusing on cross-platform, global delivery of BIM.
Comment by Tim Grimm on
Hi Rachel. This is a great list. I’m just a little bummed that my own Revit Add-ons blog (http://revitaddons.blogspot.com/) didn’t make the cut.
Comment by Laurent Henin on
Hello,
http://www.bimblog.lu is a blog in french language about BIM.
Comment by Sandesh on
Great list. I have been looking for some resources like this for a long time. Thanks for posting it.
Comment by Brian Renehan on
Hi Rachel,
I hope people looking to find some interesting information on BIM find the BIM Fix Blog helpful. – http://bimfix.blogspot.com.au/
Comment by Craig Sewell on
Good list Rachel – couple of my favourites in there. I have put together a list of BIM websites specifically for product manufacturers here: http://www.craigsewell.co.uk/bim-websites-for-manufacturers/
Comment by Paul Doherty on
Thanks for the shout out for our AEC Hackathon… The community appreciates it!
Comment by Jessy Lee on
Hi, I would like to recommend a 3D model search engine called Yobi3D. You can search with simple keywords and see the results in 3D. It’s a good tool for people who are looking for 3D files to print.
https://www.yobi3d.com
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[…] plug in seamlessly to RFIs, change orders, and payment plans. Vista also allows integration with BIM and offers business management options, including reporting on performance indicators and safety […]
Comment by Fraser Bell on
Hi,
BIMserver.org
We’re big fans of BIMserver for their OpenSource BIM model server, freely available to download. It’s found in most BIM packages & products at the core.
BIMaaS.uk
BIM-as-a-Service is our full BIM tools platform. We use many BIM components (like BIMserver) to provide a range of polished BIM tools. While also providing a Common Data Environment, either hosted by you, or us. – We’re also OpenSource and free to download.
We also offer an enterprise service for businesses where you can benefit from our expertise, setup, and support.
Comment by Mike Nass on
Sweets – the resource for building products has launched its new free app for Revit on the Autodesk app store.
Sweets is changing to meet design professionals where they work. The Sweets app for Revit makes the product selection process easier, faster, more accurate, and more cost effective, by integrating within the project design workflow. Download the free app at
http://bit.ly/21Gdao3
Comment by BIM SERVICES INDIA on
We are one of the renowned BIM services providers in India, offering high end Revit Modeling and Building Information Modeling. We specialize in end to end, building design services starting with schematic or conceptual design to fabrication of structures or MEP components.
Comment by Stefano on
Hi everyone, i found a website that contains 3D models BIM in many different formats as DWG, DXF……, it’s very simple to download the models, you just do the registration to the website and you can download, totally free, the materials. Hope you enjoy the website: http://www.syncronia.com/
Comment by Martin Watson on
Hi Rachel,
Brilliant list, you have covered a good range of resources used in the BIM Community. Although I think my blog content over at (http://construct-digital.uk/latest) would be useful.
The blog content covers all things BIM and the use of new technologies in the future of the construction industry. Our most recent post can be found here – http://construct-digital.uk/latest/bim-after-2016/
Comment by Brian Trimble on
BIM-M’s REVIT Masonry Pack
The Building Information Modeling for Masonry Initiative (BIM-M) has released the BIM-M Masonry Pack for the Autodesk REVIT software. The REVIT plugin and masonry library provide quality masonry content and place it at the fingertips of design teams. The masonry content library can be added to existing libraries or accessed through a free plugin that provides a visual browser and drag and drop capabilities into the model.
https://ctcexpresstools.com/bim-masonry
Comment by Rob on
This is really a huge list. Thanks a lot.
I think TheBIMhub can also be included in this list under blogs section. It contains articles and news from the BIM industry.
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[…] The Top 38 BIM Resources […]
Comment by miguel angel on
Hi all, I would like to recommend a 3d model search engine. It has more than 2 millions 3d models indexed. It’s worth to try it!
https://www.stlfinder.com
Comment by Tracey Dingwall on
BIMBox offer a host of BIM content available for FREE download. All you need to do is register and you can start downloading a whole host of interior objects. All of our objects are created to PAS1192 and COBie standards. We work with main contractors, architects, specifiers and manufacturers to bring you the best content available.
http://www.bimbox.co.uk
Comment by J. Sanabria on
If you are looking of more architecture & design tools, http://bryckstack.com has a good collection.
Comment by Richard Walterman on
I came across BIMGallery the other day. Unlike everyone else, they appear to offer full Revit models for sale.
Comment by Kevin Sandlin on
We’ve just recently launched Konstru: secure, cloud-based 3D BIM collaboration, data exchange, and model revision tracking tool. Konstru makes tools like Tekla, Revit, ETABS, SAP, Grasshopper, Ram, Excel, and Rhino interoperable and tracks every change to your BIM data and models so you know who changed what and when. Konstru is free to try, free to share, and your first two users are always free.
Comment by Carles Gimenez on
That’s a great recap but I really miss the social platform BIMCommunity there. It is a BIM website where you can read and publish in 10 different languages and connect with other BIMers from all over the world.
Comment by francesca marsico on
Hello,
my name is Francesca. I’m looking for a BIM software. But I’m not able to find informations about price. Can you help me?
I want to know something about this:
https://www.shapetrace.co/
https://rendra.io/en/
http://ar.formitas.de/?lang=en
Comment by Ethan Adams on
You should definitely consider including BIMsmith (https://bimsmith.com) to your list. Thousands of free Revit families and an easy, cloud-based method for configuring complete floor, wall, ceiling, and roof assemblies (https://forge.bimsmith.com).
Plus it’s all free.
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